At this time I have 2 different garter snakes in brumation. T.radix(plains garter snake) and T.s.parietalis(red-sided garter snake). My fridge is set at 42 degrees(6.11C) The temp is taken from the top shelf. Tonight it was time to check on water supplies and give them the quick once-over. I first checked in on the radix girls. First, I make sure there isn't too much moisture, then I check on them. I look for tongue flicking as a good sign that they are fine. My female radixes were moving in slow motion and so were the tongue flicks. My albino flattened her head and body and wanted to be left alone.
My t.s.p's were next. They are sitting on the very bottom of the compartment. When I opened the lid I saw both large females moving quickly and the tongue flicking was close to normal speed.
I find this very interesting since the bottom of the fridge should be colder than the top. Which means the snakes should be moving slower, right. Not the case here. I know that this is far from scientific but apparently T.s.parietalis can tolerate colder temps. than T.radix. I'm guessing this is because they range much farther north than T.radix. I have since started reading temps at the bottom. I don't have a reading yet.
I wonder? Should I brumate the parietalis at a lower temp.